The Amgen Bike Tour

What an exciting day to see the Amgen bike tour come to Santa Rosa! My husband and I pedaled our mountain bikes from Kenwood through Annadel State Park to Spring Lake and on into downtown Santa Rosa( 1/2 hour ride) in time to witness the festivities of the biggest event to come to our area, the Amgen Bike Tour. The streets were lined with over 7,000 fans waiting for the pack of racers to finish the final laps around the Santa Rosa plaza. Amazing! And it was over in minutes...swooosh, there they go....it was great to be among all those enthusiastic fans watching those amazing atheletes!

Ahhh...motherhood.....

Good morning! A beautiful day in Sonoma County! As I walk out the 1/2 mile to get my morning newspaper(yes,I still get a printed copy of the news),I know spring is just around the corner. The hills are covered in a fresh green blanket of new grasses only so famous in California. The Robins are busily foraging for bugs and there's a warmness in the air. Of course, this is just a "teaser" for there's more winter storms to shower before it's TRULY spring!
And now the BLOG...I'm like a new mother....exited, but nervous about what to do...I started this site to report about the things that go on in our town of Kenwood...now realizing, that it requires some thought and structure and daily attendance just like raising a child! I'm also a little self-conscience about my writing skills, since this blog idea was hatched by my web-savy, 23 yr.old writer-daughter who's quite comfortable with the written word. Anyway,this will be fun to see where it goes...and how I progress to tell the tales of Kenwood...

Hey, did you visit the Fred Parker art studio? Located behind the Vineyards Inn in Kenwood, this multi-media artist has some great work reflecting landscapes around the valley. Check it out.

"Kenwoodians"

What a beautiful day! After thirteen straight days of rain, I was glad to get out on my morning run in Annadel State Park! What a great place to have in my own backyard of Kenwood! This park is 25 sq. miles of trails, water ways and wildlife. I am sure that there are a lot of people out there that have not even been to Lake Ilsanjo, which is the treasure destination at the top of Richardson Trail. I try to use this park three days a week. Sometimes I run with others, sometimes alone. It is my workout, my santity , my space, my communion with nature--and it's right here in my town of Kenwood--well, it's really Santa Rosa officially, but, the trailhead on Lawndale Rd. is 1/2 mile from the Kenwood borderline....so, I think it's O.K. to say Kenwood.

About that. I like to call myself a "Kenwoodian", which, if you are part of anything to do with Kenwood, you are in the "loop" and you can then call yourself a "Kenwoodian". That said, we Kenwoodians are proud of our small town village with it's eclectic group of people...artists, winemakers, families, and transplants from everywhere bigger that this town!

I must add this information about our Sonoma County Parks. Many use Sonoma County parks and don't pay the useage fee. They park outside the gates and walk, bike or run in. Remember these parks are underfunded...a donation to the Sonoma County Trail Council(http://www.sonomatrails.org/) would be a great way to show your appreciation for these open spaces.
That's all for now...see you in Kenwood...and maybe on the trails of Annadel!